Anti-power theft cables and methods

Abstract

A cable includes a core and a plurality of layers surrounding the core. In one embodiment, at least one of the layers surrounding the core includes multiple sets of phase conductors. The respective sets of phase conductors are electrically isolated from one another. Other cables are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cable comprising:
 a core; 
 a first conductor layer circumferentially surrounding the core, wherein the first conductor layer comprises:
 a first plurality of wires arranged in an arcuate configuration to form a first arc, each wire of the first plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the first plurality of wires; 
 a second plurality of wires arranged in an arcuate configuration to form a second arc, each wire of the second plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the second plurality of wires; and 
 at least two dielectric insulators configured to electrically isolate the first arc from the second arc; and 
 
 a first insulation layer contacting and circumferentially surrounding the first conductor layer. 
 
     
     
       2. The cable of  claim 1  further comprising a core insulation layer, wherein:
 the core is formed of a conductive material; and 
 the core insulation layer contacts and circumferentially surrounds the core. 
 
     
     
       3. The cable of  claim 2  wherein each of the first plurality of wires, the second plurality of wires, and each of the at least two dielectric insulators contacts the core insulation layer. 
     
     
       4. The cable of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a second conductor layer, wherein the second conductor layer comprises a third plurality of wires which contact and circumferentially surround the first insulation layer; and 
 a second insulation layer, wherein the second insulation layer contacts and circumferentially surrounds the second conductor layer. 
 
     
     
       5. The cable of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a second conductor layer, wherein the second conductor layer comprises a third plurality of wires; and 
 a second insulation layer, wherein the second insulation layer circumferentially surrounds the second conductor layer. 
 
     
     
       6. The cable of  claim 5  wherein the third plurality of wires circumferentially surrounds the first insulation layer. 
     
     
       7. The cable of  claim 6  wherein the third plurality of wires contacts the first insulation layer. 
     
     
       8. The cable of  claim 2 , wherein the core is made from a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, aluminum conductor steel-reinforced cable (ACSR), aluminum conductor steel supported cable (ACSS), and aluminum conductor aluminum alloy reinforced cable (ACAR). 
     
     
       9. The cable of  claim 1  wherein the core is formed of a non-conductive material. 
     
     
       10. The cable of  claim 9  wherein each of the first plurality of wires, the second plurality of wires, and each of the at least two dielectric insulators contacts the core. 
     
     
       11. The cable of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a second conductor layer, wherein the second conductor layer comprises a third plurality of wires which contact and circumferentially surround the first insulation layer; and 
 a second insulation layer, wherein the second insulation layer contacts and circumferentially surrounds the second conductor layer. 
 
     
     
       12. The cable of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a second conductor layer, wherein the second conductor layer comprises a third plurality of wires; and 
 a second insulation layer, wherein the second insulation layer circumferentially surrounds the second conductor layer. 
 
     
     
       13. The cable of  claim 12  wherein the third plurality of wires circumferentially surrounds the first insulation layer. 
     
     
       14. The cable of  claim 13  wherein the third plurality of wires contacts the first insulation layer. 
     
     
       15. The cable of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two dielectric insulators comprises a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       16. A cable comprising:
 a first layer comprising:
 a first plurality of wires arranged in an arcuate configuration to form a first arc, each wire of the first plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the first plurality of wires; 
 a second plurality of wires arranged in an arcuate configuration to form a second arc, each wire of the second plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the second plurality of wires; and 
 at least two dielectric insulators configured to electrically isolate the first arc from the second arc; and 
 
 a second layer surrounding the first layer and configured to provide insulation to the first layer. 
 
     
     
       17. The cable of  claim 16  further comprising a support member and a support member insulation layer, wherein:
 the support member is formed of a conductive material; and 
 the support member insulation layer contacts and circumferentially surrounds the support member. 
 
     
     
       18. The cable of  claim 17 , wherein the support member insulation layer, the first layer, and the second layer concentrically circumscribe the support member, the support member insulation layer, and the first layer, respectively. 
     
     
       19. A cable comprising:
 a core; 
 a first plurality of wires surrounding the core, each wire of the first plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the first plurality of wires; 
 a first insulation layer surrounding the first plurality of wires; 
 a second plurality of wires surrounding the first insulation layer, each wire of the second plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the second plurality of wires; 
 a second insulation layer surrounding the second plurality of wires; 
 a third plurality of wires surrounding the second insulation layer, each wire of the third plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the plurality of third wires; and 
 an outer jacket surrounding the third plurality of wires such that the third plurality of wires are the circumferentially outermost wires of the cable, wherein:
 the first plurality of wires is configured to facilitate delivery of electrical power at a first phase; 
 the second plurality of wires is configured to facilitate delivery of electrical power at a second phase; and 
 the third plurality of wires is configured to be electrically coupled with an electrical ground. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The cable of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a fourth plurality of wires surrounding the second insulation layer and contacting the second insulation layer, each wire of the fourth plurality of wires contacting an immediately adjacent wire of the fourth plurality of wires; and 
 a fourth insulation layer surrounding the fourth plurality of wires and interposed between the second plurality of wires and the third plurality of wires, wherein the fourth plurality of wires is configured to facilitate delivery of electrical power at a third phase.